Ultra bright dimeric or polymeric dyes

ABSTRACT

Compounds useful as fluorescent or colored dyes are disclosed. The compounds have the following structure (I): or a stereoisomer, tautomer or salt thereof, wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , L, L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , L 4 , M, M′, m 1 , m 2 , n, x, y and z are as defined herein. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds are also provided.

BACKGROUND Field

The present invention is generally directed to dimeric and polymeric fluorescent or colored dyes, and methods for their preparation and use in various analytical methods.

Description of the Related Art

Fluorescent and/or colored dyes are known to be particularly suitable for applications in which a highly sensitive detection reagent is desirable. Dyes that are able to preferentially label a specific ingredient or component in a sample enable the researcher to determine the presence, quantity and/or location of that specific ingredient or component. In addition, specific systems can be monitored with respect to their spatial and temporal distribution in diverse environments.

Fluorescence and colorimetric methods are extremely widespread in chemistry and biology. These methods give useful information on the presence, structure, distance, orientation, complexation and/or location for biomolecules. In addition, time-resolved methods are increasingly used in measurements of dynamics and kinetics. As a result, many strategies for fluorescence or color labeling of biomolecules, such as nucleic acids and protein, have been developed. Since analysis of biomolecules typically occurs in an aqueous environment, the focus has been on development and use of water soluble dyes.

Highly fluorescent or colored dyes are desirable since use of such dyes increases the signal to noise ratio and provides other related benefits. Accordingly, attempts have been made to increase the signal from known fluorescent and/or colored moieties. For example, dimeric and polymeric compounds comprising two or more fluorescent and/or colored moieties have been prepared in anticipation that such compounds would result in brighter dyes. However, as a result of intramolecular fluorescence quenching, the known dimeric and polymeric dyes have not achieved the desired increase in brightness.

There is thus a need in the art for water soluble dyes having an increased molar brightness. Ideally, such dyes and biomarkers should be intensely colored or fluorescent and should be available in a variety of colors and fluorescent wavelengths. The present invention fulfills this need and provides further related advantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In brief, embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to compounds useful as water soluble, fluorescent and/or colored dyes and/or probes that enable visual detection of analyte molecules, such as biomolecules, as well as reagents for their preparation. Methods for visually detecting analyte molecules using the dyes are also described.

The water soluble, fluorescent or colored dyes of embodiments of the invention are intensely colored and/or fluorescent and can be readily observed by visual inspection or other means. In some embodiments the compounds may be observed without prior illumination or chemical or enzymatic activation. By appropriate selection of the dye, as described herein, visually detectable analyte molecules of a variety of colors may be obtained.

In one embodiment, compounds having the following structure (I) are provided:

or a stereoisomer, tautomer or salt thereof, wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, L, L¹, L², L³, L⁴, M, M′, m¹, m², n, x, y and z are as defined herein. Compounds of structure (I) find utility in a number of applications, including use as fluorescent and/or colored dyes in various analytical methods.

In another embodiment, a method for staining a sample is provided, the method comprises adding to said sample a compound of structure (I) in an amount sufficient to produce an optical response when said sample is illuminated at an appropriate wavelength.

In still other embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for visually detecting an analyte molecule, comprising:

(a) providing a compound of (I); and

(b) detecting the compound by its visible properties.

Other disclosed methods include a method for visually detecting a biomolecule, the method comprising:

(a) admixing a compound of structure (I) with one or more biomolecules; and

(b) detecting the compound by its visible properties.

Other embodiments provide a method for visually detecting an analyte, the method comprising:

(a) providing a compound as disclosed herein, wherein R² or R³ comprises a linker comprising a covalent bond to a targeting moiety having specificity for the analyte;

(b) admixing the compound and the analyte, thereby associating the targeting moiety and the analyte; and

(c) detecting the compound by its visible properties.

Other embodiments are directed to a composition comprising a compound of structure (I) and one or more analyte molecule, such as a biomolecule. Use of such compositions in analytical methods for detection of the one or more biomolecules is also provided.

Some other embodiments include a composition comprising a compound of structure (I) and a cyclodextrin.

In some other different embodiments is provided a method for determining the presence of dead cells in a sample, the method comprising contacting the sample with a compound of structure (I), thereby binding or associating the compound with the dead cells, and observing a fluorescent signal from the compound bound or associated with the dead cells.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent upon reference to the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the present specification and claims, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to”.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

“Amino” refers to the —NH₂ group.

“Carboxy” refers to the —CO₂H group.

“Cyano” refers to the —CN group.

“Formyl” refers to the —C(═O)H group.

“Hydroxy” or “hydroxyl” refers to the —OH group.

“Imino” refers to the ═NH group.

“Nitro” refers to the —NO₂ group.

“Oxo” refers to the ═O substituent group.

“Sulfhydryl” refers to the —SH group.

“Thioxo” refers to the ═S group.

“Alkyl” refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain group consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing no unsaturation, having from one to twelve carbon atoms (C₁-C₁₂ alkyl), one to eight carbon atoms (C₁-C₈ alkyl) or one to six carbon atoms (C₁-C₆ alkyl), and which is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond, e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl (iso-propyl), n-butyl, n-pentyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl (t-butyl), 3-methylhexyl, 2-methylhexyl, and the like. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, alkyl groups are optionally substituted.

“Alkylene” or “alkylene chain” refers to a straight or branched divalent hydrocarbon chain linking the rest of the molecule to a radical group, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, containing no unsaturation, and having from one to twelve carbon atoms, e.g., methylene, ethylene, propylene, n-butylene, ethenylene, propenylene, n-butenylene, propynylene, n-butynylene, and the like. The alkylene chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond and to the radical group through a single bond. The points of attachment of the alkylene chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, alkylene is optionally substituted.

“Alkenylene” or “alkenylene chain” refers to a straight or branched divalent hydrocarbon chain linking the rest of the molecule to a radical group, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond and having from two to twelve carbon atoms, e.g., ethenylene, propenylene, n-butenylene, and the like. The alkenylene chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond and to the radical group through a double bond or a single bond. The points of attachment of the alkenylene chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, alkenylene is optionally substituted.

“Alkynylene” or “alkynylene chain” refers to a straight or branched divalent hydrocarbon chain linking the rest of the molecule to a radical group, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen, containing at least one carbon-carbon triple bond and having from two to twelve carbon atoms, e.g., ethenylene, propenylene, n-butenylene, and the like. The alkynylene chain is attached to the rest of the molecule through a single bond and to the radical group through a double bond or a single bond. The points of attachment of the alkynylene chain to the rest of the molecule and to the radical group can be through one carbon or any two carbons within the chain. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, alkynylene is optionally substituted.

“Alkylether” refers to any alkyl group as defined above, wherein at least one carbon-carbon bond is replaced with a carbon-oxygen bond. The carbon-oxygen bond may be on the terminal end (as in an alkoxy group) or the carbon oxygen bond may be internal (i.e., Alkylethers include at least one carbon oxygen bond, but may include more than one. For example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is included within the meaning of alkylether. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkylether group is optionally substituted. For example, in some embodiments an alkylether is substituted with an alcohol or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), wherein each of R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c) is as defined for compounds of structure (I).

“Alkoxy” refers to a group of the formula —OR_(a) where R_(a) is an alkyl group as defined above containing one to twelve carbon atoms. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkoxy group is optionally substituted.

“Alkoxyalkylether” refers to a group of the formula —OR_(a)R_(b) where R_(a) is an alkylene group as defined above containing one to twelve carbon atoms, and Rb is an alkylether group as defined herein. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an alkoxyalkylether group is optionally substituted, for example substituted with an alcohol or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), wherein each of R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c) is as defined for compounds of structure (I).

“Heteroalkyl” refers to an alkyl group, as defined above, comprising at least one heteroatom (e.g., N, O, P or S) within the alkyl group or at a terminus of the alkyl group. In some embodiments, the heteroatom is within the alkyl group (i.e., the heteroalkyl comprises at least one carbon-[heteroatom]_(x)-carbon bond, where x is 1, 2 or 3). In other embodiments, the heteroatom is at a terminus of the alkyl group and thus serves to join the alkyl group to the remainder of the molecule (e.g., M1-H-A), where M1 is a portion of the molecule, H is a heteroatom and A is an alkyl group). Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heteroalkyl group is optionally substituted. Exemplary heteroalkyl groups include ethylene oxide (e.g., polyethylene oxide), optionally including phosphorous-oxygen bonds, such as phosphodiester bonds.

“Heteroalkoxy” refers to a group of the formula —OR_(a) where R_(a) is a heteroalkyl group as defined above containing one to twelve carbon atoms. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heteroalkoxy group is optionally substituted.

“Heteroalkylene” refers to an alkylene group, as defined above, comprising at least one heteroatom (e.g., N, O, P or S) within the alkylene chain or at a terminus of the alkylene chain. In some embodiments, the heteroatom is within the alkylene chain (i.e., the heteroalkylene comprises at least one carbon-[heteroatom]_(x)-carbon bond, where x is 1, 2 or 3). In other embodiments, the heteroatom is at a terminus of the alkylene and thus serves to join the alkylene to the remainder of the molecule (e.g., M1-H-A-M2, where M1 and M2 are portions of the molecule, H is a heteroatom and A is an alkylene). Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heteroalkylene group is optionally substituted. Exemplary heteroalkylene linking group include ethylene oxide (e.g., PEG) linkers and the linker illustrated below:

Multimers of the above C-linker are included in various embodiments of heteroalkylene linkers.

“Heteroalkenylene” is a heteroalkylene, as defined above, comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heteroalkenylene group is optionally substituted.

“Heteroalkynylene” is a heteroalkylene comprising at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heteroalkynylene group is optionally substituted.

“Heteroatomic” in reference to a “heteroatomic linker” refers to a linker group consisting of one or more heteroatoms. Exemplary heteroatomic linkers include single atoms selected from the group consisting of O, N, P and S, and multiple heteroatoms for example a linker having the formula —P(O⁻)(═O)O— or —OP(O⁻)(═O)O— and multimers and combinations thereof.

“Phosphate” refers to the —OP(═O)(R_(a))R_(b) group, wherein R_(a) is OH, O⁻ or OR_(c); and R_(b) is OH, O⁻, OR_(c), a thiophosphate group or a further phosphate group, wherein R_(c) is a counter ion (e.g., Na+ and the like).

“Phosphoalkyl” refers to the —OP(═O)(R_(a))R_(b) group, wherein R_(a) is OH, O⁻ or OR_(c); and R_(b) is —Oalkyl, wherein R_(c) is a counter ion (e.g., Na+ and the like). Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a phosphoalkyl group is optionally substituted. For example, in certain embodiments, the —Oalkyl moiety in a phosphoalkyl group is optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether, thiophosphoalkylether or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), wherein each of R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c) is as defined for compounds of structure (I).

“Phosphoalkylether” refers to the —OP(═O)(R_(a))R_(b) group, wherein R_(a) is OH, O⁻ or OR_(c); and R_(b) is —Oalkylether, wherein R_(c) is a counter ion (e.g., Na+ and the like). Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a phosphoalkylether group is optionally substituted. For example, in certain embodiments, the —Oalkylether moiety in a phosphoalkylether group is optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether, thiophosphoalkylether or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), wherein each of R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c) is as defined for compounds of structure (I).

“Thiophosphate” refers to the —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c) group, wherein R_(a) is O or S, R_(b) is OH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d); and R_(c) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d), SR_(d), a phosphate group or a further thiophosphate group, wherein R_(d) is a counter ion (e.g., Na+ and the like) and provided that: i) R_(a) is S; ii) R_(b) is S⁻ or SR_(d); iii)R_(c) is SH, S⁻ or SR_(d); or iv) a combination of i), ii) and/or iii).

“Thiophosphoalkyl” refers to the —OP(═R^(a))(R^(b))R_(c) group, wherein R_(a) is O or S, R_(b) is OH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d); and R_(c) is —Oalkyl, wherein R_(d) is a counter ion (e.g., Na+ and the like) and provided that: i) R_(a) is S; ii) R_(b) is S⁻ or SR_(d); or iii)R_(a) is S and R_(b) is S⁻ or SR_(d). Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a thiophosphoalkyl group is optionally substituted. For example, in certain embodiments, the —Oalkyl moiety in a thiophosphoalkyl group is optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether, thiophosphoalkylether or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), wherein each of R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c) is as defined for compounds of structure (I).

“Thiophosphoalkylether” refers to the —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c) group, wherein R_(a) is O or S, R_(b) is OH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d); and R_(c) is —Oalkylether, wherein R_(d) is a counter ion (e.g., Na+ and the like) and provided that: i) R_(a) is S; ii) R_(b) is S⁻ or SR_(d); or iii) R_(a) is S and R_(b) is S⁻ or SR_(d). Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a thiophosphoalkylether group is optionally substituted. For example, in certain embodiments, the —Oalkylether moiety in a thiophosphoalkyl group is optionally substituted with one or more of hydroxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether, thiophosphoalkylether or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), wherein each of R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c) is as defined for compounds of structure (I).

“Carbocyclic” refers to a stable 3- to 18-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring comprising 3 to 18 carbon atoms. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a carbocyclic ring may be a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic ring system, which may include fused or bridged ring systems, and may be partially or fully saturated. Non-aromatic carbocyclyl radicals include cycloalkyl, while aromatic carbocyclyl radicals include aryl. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a carbocyclic group is optionally substituted.

“Cycloalkyl” refers to a stable non-aromatic monocyclic or polycyclic carbocyclic ring, which may include fused or bridged ring systems, having from three to fifteen carbon atoms, preferably having from three to ten carbon atoms, and which is saturated or unsaturated and attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond. Monocyclic cyclocalkyls include, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl. Polycyclic cycloalkyls include, for example, adamantyl, norbornyl, decalinyl, 7,7-dimethyl-bicyclo-[2.2.1]heptanyl, and the like. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted.

“Aryl” refers to a ring system comprising at least one carbocyclic aromatic ring. In some embodiments, an aryl comprises from 6 to 18 carbon atoms. The aryl ring may be a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic ring system, which may include fused or bridged ring systems. Aryls include, but are not limited to, aryls derived from aceanthrylene, acenaphthylene, acephenanthrylene, anthracene, azulene, benzene, chrysene, fluoranthene, fluorene, as-indacene, s-indacene, indane, indene, naphthalene, phenalene, phenanthrene, pleiadene, pyrene, and triphenylene. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an aryl group is optionally substituted.

“Heterocyclic” refers to a stable 3- to 18-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring comprising one to twelve carbon atoms and from one to six heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, the heterocyclic ring may be a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic ring system, which may include fused or bridged ring systems; and the nitrogen, carbon or sulfur atoms in the heterocyclic ring may be optionally oxidized; the nitrogen atom may be optionally quaternized; and the heterocyclic ring may be partially or fully saturated. Examples of aromatic heterocyclic rings are listed below in the definition of heteroaryls (i.e., heteroaryl being a subset of heterocyclic). Examples of non-aromatic heterocyclic rings include, but are not limited to, dioxolanyl, thienyl[1,3]dithianyl, decahydroisoquinolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, octahydroindolyl, octahydroisoindolyl, 2-oxopiperazinyl, 2-oxopiperidinyl, 2-oxopyrrolidinyl, oxazolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, 4-piperidonyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolopyrimidinyl, quinuclidinyl, thiazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuryl, trioxanyl, trithianyl, triazinanyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thiomorpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl, 1-oxo-thiomorpholinyl, and 1,1-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heterocyclic group is optionally substituted.

“Heteroaryl” refers to a 5- to 14-membered ring system comprising one to thirteen carbon atoms, one to six heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and at least one aromatic ring. For purposes of certain embodiments of this invention, the heteroaryl radical may be a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic ring system, which may include fused or bridged ring systems; and the nitrogen, carbon or sulfur atoms in the heteroaryl radical may be optionally oxidized; the nitrogen atom may be optionally quaternized. Examples include, but are not limited to, azepinyl, acridinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benzindolyl, benzodioxolyl, benzofuranyl, benzooxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzo[b][1,4]dioxepinyl, 1,4-benzodioxanyl, benzonaphthofuranyl, benzoxazolyl, benzodioxolyl, benzodioxinyl, benzopyranyl, benzopyranonyl, benzofuranyl, benzofuranonyl, benzothienyl (benzothiophenyl), benzotriazolyl, benzo[4,6]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl, benzoxazolinonyl, benzimidazolthionyl, carbazolyl, cinnolinyl, dibenzofuranyl, dibenzothiophenyl, furanyl, furanonyl, isothiazolyl, imidazolyl, indazolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, isoquinolyl, indolizinyl, isoxazolyl, naphthyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, 2-oxoazepinyl, oxazolyl, oxiranyl, 1-oxidopyridinyl, 1-oxidopyrimidinyl, 1-oxidopyrazinyl, 1-oxidopyridazinyl, 1-phenyl-1H-pyrrolyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxazinyl, phthalazinyl, pteridinyl, pteridinonyl, purinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridinonyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pryrimidinonyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidinonyl, quinazolinyl, quinazolinonyl, quinoxalinyl, quinoxalinonyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-onyl, thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-onyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, triazinyl, and thiophenyl (i.e. thienyl). Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heteroaryl group is optionally substituted.

“Fused” refers to a ring system comprising at least two rings, wherein the two rings share at least one common ring atom, for example two common ring atoms. When the fused ring is a heterocyclyl ring or a heteroaryl ring, the common ring atom(s) may be carbon or nitrogen. Fused rings include bicyclic, tricyclic, tertracyclic, and the like.

The term “substituted” used herein means any of the above groups (e.g., alkyl, alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene, alkoxy, alkylether, alkoxyalkylether, heteroalkyl, heteroalkoxy, phosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether, thiophosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkylether, carbocyclic, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclic and/or heteroaryl) wherein at least one hydrogen atom (e.g., 1, 2, 3 or all hydrogen atoms) is replaced by a bond to a non-hydrogen atoms such as, but not limited to: a halogen atom such as F, Cl, Br, and I; an oxygen atom in groups such as hydroxyl groups, alkoxy groups, and ester groups; a sulfur atom in groups such as thiol groups, thioalkyl groups, sulfone groups, sulfonyl groups, and sulfoxide groups; a nitrogen atom in groups such as amines, amides, alkylamines, dialkylamines, arylamines, alkylarylamines, diarylamines, N-oxides, imides, and enamines; a silicon atom in groups such as trialkylsilyl groups, dialkylarylsilyl groups, alkyldiarylsilyl groups, and triarylsilyl groups; and other heteroatoms in various other groups. “Substituted” also means any of the above groups in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by a higher-order bond (e.g., a double- or triple-bond) to a heteroatom such as oxygen in oxo, carbonyl, carboxyl, and ester groups; and nitrogen in groups such as imines, oximes, hydrazones, and nitriles. For example, “substituted” includes any of the above groups in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced with —NR_(g)R_(h), —NR_(g)C(═O)R_(h), —NR_(g)C(═O)NR_(g)R_(h), —NR_(g)C(═O)OR_(h), —NR_(g)SO₂R_(h), —OC(═O)NR_(g)R_(h), —OR_(g), —SR_(g), —SOR_(g), —SO₂R_(g), —OSO₂R_(g), —SO₂OR_(g), ═NSO₂R_(g), and —SO₂NR_(g)R_(h). “Substituted also means any of the above groups in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced with —C(═O)R_(g), —C(═O)OR_(g), —C(═O)NR_(g)R_(h), —CH₂SO₂R_(g), —CH₂SO₂NR_(g)R_(h). In the foregoing, R_(g) and R_(h) are the same or different and independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, thioalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, heterocyclyl, N-heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, N-heteroaryl and/or heteroarylalkyl. “Substituted” further means any of the above groups in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by a bond to an amino, cyano, hydroxyl, imino, nitro, oxo, thioxo, halo, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, thioalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, haloalkyl, heterocyclyl, N-heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, N-heteroaryl and/or heteroarylalkyl group. In some embodiments, the optional substituent is —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), wherein each of R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c) is as defined for compounds of structure (I). In addition, each of the foregoing substituents may also be optionally substituted with one or more of the above substituents.

“Conjugation” refers to the overlap of one p-orbital with another p-orbital across an intervening sigma bond. Conjugation may occur in cyclic or acyclic compounds. A “degree of conjugation” refers to the overlap of at least one p-orbital with another p-orbital across an intervening sigma bond. For example, 1, 3 butadiene has one degree of conjugation, while benzene and other aromatic compounds typically have multiple degrees of conjugation. Fluorescent and colored compounds typically comprise at least one degree of conjugation.

“Fluorescent” refers to a molecule which is capable of absorbing light of a particular frequency and emitting light of a different frequency. Fluorescence is well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

“Colored” refers to a molecule which absorbs light within the colored spectrum (i.e., red, yellow, blue and the like).

A “linker” refers to a contiguous chain of at least one atom, such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous and combinations thereof, which connects a portion of a molecule to another portion of the same molecule or to a different molecule, moiety or solid support (e.g., microparticle). Linkers may connect the molecule via a covalent bond or other means, such as ionic or hydrogen bond interactions.

The term “biomolecule” refers to any of a variety of biological materials, including nucleic acids, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, glycoproteins, hormones, aptamers and mixtures thereof. More specifically, the term is intended to include, without limitation, RNA, DNA, oligonucleotides, modified or derivatized nucleotides, enzymes, receptors, prions, receptor ligands (including hormones), antibodies, antigens, and toxins, as well as bacteria, viruses, blood cells, and tissue cells. The visually detectable biomolecules of the invention (e.g., compounds of structure (I) having a biomolecule linked thereto) are prepared, as further described herein, by contacting a biomolecule with a compound having a reactive group that enables attachment of the biomolecule to the compound via any available atom or functional group, such as an amino, hydroxy, carboxyl, or sulfhydryl group on the biomolecule.

A “reactive group” is a moiety capable of reacting with a second reactive groups (e.g., a “complementary reactive group”) to form one or more covalent bonds, for example by a displacement, oxidation, reduction, addition or cycloaddition reaction. Exemplary reactive groups are provided in Table 1, and include for example, nucleophiles, electrophiles, dienes, dienophiles, aldehyde, oxime, hydrazone, alkyne, amine, azide, acylazide, acylhalide, nitrile, nitrone, sulfhydryl, disulfide, sulfonyl halide, isothiocyanate, imidoester, activated ester, ketone, α,β-unsaturated carbonyl, alkene, maleimide, α-haloimide, epoxide, aziridine, tetrazine, tetrazole, phosphine, biotin, thiirane and the like.

The terms “visible” and “visually detectable” are used herein to refer to substances that are observable by visual inspection, without prior illumination, or chemical or enzymatic activation. Such visually detectable substances absorb and emit light in a region of the spectrum ranging from about 300 to about 900 nm. Preferably, such substances are intensely colored, preferably having a molar extinction coefficient of at least about 40,000, more preferably at least about 50,000, still more preferably at least about 60,000, yet still more preferably at least about 70,000, and most preferably at least about 80,000 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The compounds of the invention may be detected by observation with the naked eye, or with the aid of an optically based detection device, including, without limitation, absorption spectrophotometers, transmission light microscopes, digital cameras and scanners. Visually detectable substances are not limited to those which emit and/or absorb light in the visible spectrum. Substances which emit and/or absorb light in the ultraviolet (UV) region (about 10 nm to about 400 nm), infrared (IR) region (about 700 nm to about 1 mm), and substances emitting and/or absorbing in other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are also included with the scope of “visually detectable” substances.

For purposes of embodiments of the invention, the term “photostable visible dye” refers to a chemical moiety that is visually detectable, as defined hereinabove, and is not significantly altered or decomposed upon exposure to light. Preferably, the photostable visible dye does not exhibit significant bleaching or decomposition after being exposed to light for at least one hour. More preferably, the visible dye is stable after exposure to light for at least 12 hours, still more preferably at least 24 hours, still yet more preferably at least one week, and most preferably at least one month. Nonlimiting examples of photostable visible dyes suitable for use in the compounds and methods of the invention include azo dyes, thioindigo dyes, quinacridone pigments, dioxazine, phthalocyanine, perinone, diketopyrrolopyrrole, quinophthalone, and truarycarbonium.

As used herein, the term “perylene derivative” is intended to include any substituted perylene that is visually detectable. However, the term is not intended to include perylene itself. The terms “anthracene derivative”, “naphthalene derivative”, and “pyrene derivative” are used analogously. In some preferred embodiments, a derivative (e.g., perylene, pyrene, anthracene or naphthalene derivative) is an imide, bisimide or hydrazamimide derivative of perylene, anthracene, naphthalene, or pyrene. The visually detectable molecules of various embodiments of the invention are useful for a wide variety of analytical applications, such as biochemical and biomedical applications, in which there is a need to determine the presence, location, or quantity of a particular analyte (e.g., biomolecule). In another aspect, therefore, the invention provides a method for visually detecting a biomolecule, comprising: (a) providing a biological system with a visually detectable biomolecule comprising the compound of structure (I) linked to a biomolecule; and (b) detecting the biomolecule by its visible properties. For purposes of the invention, the phrase “detecting the biomolecule by its visible properties” means that the biomolecule, without illumination or chemical or enzymatic activation, is observed with the naked eye, or with the aid of a optically based detection device, including, without limitation, absorption spectrophotometers, transmission light microscopes, digital cameras and scanners. A densitometer may be used to quantify the amount of visually detectable biomolecule present. For example, the relative quantity of the biomolecule in two samples can be determined by measuring relative optical density. If the stoichiometry of dye molecules per biomolecule is known, and the extinction coefficient of the dye molecule is known, then the absolute concentration of the biomolecule can also be determined from a measurement of optical density. As used herein, the term “biological system” is used to refer to any solution or mixture comprising one or more biomolecules in addition to the visually detectable biomolecule. Nonlimiting examples of such biological systems include cells, cell extracts, tissue samples, electrophoretic gels, assay mixtures, and hybridization reaction mixtures.

“Solid support” refers to any solid substrate known in the art for solid-phase support of molecules, for example a “microparticle” refers to any of a number of small particles useful for attachment to compounds of the invention, including, but not limited to, glass beads, magnetic beads, polymeric beads, nonpolymeric beads, and the like. In certain embodiments, a microparticle comprises polystyrene beads.

A “solid support reside” refers to the functional group remaining attached to a molecule when the molecule is cleaved from the solid support. Solid support residues are known in the art and can be easily derived based on the structure of the solid support and the group linking the molecule thereto.

A “targeting moiety” is a moiety that selectively binds or associates with a particular target, such as an analyte molecule. “Selectively” binding or associating means a targeting moiety preferentially associates or binds with the desired target relative to other targets. In some embodiments the compounds disclosed herein include linkages to targeting moieties for the purpose of selectively binding or associating the compound with an analyte of interest (i.e., the target of the targeting moiety), thus allowing detection of the analyte. Exemplary targeting moieties include, but are not limited to, antibodies, antigens, nucleic acid sequences, enzymes, proteins, cell surface receptor antagonists, and the like. In some embodiments, the targeting moiety is a moiety, such as an antibody, that selectively binds or associates with a target feature on or in a cell, for example a target feature on a cell membrane or other cellular structure, thus allowing for detection of cells of interest. Small molecules that selectively bind or associate with a desired analyte are also contemplated as targeting moieties in certain embodiments. One of skill in the art will understand other analytes, and the corresponding targeting moiety, that will be useful in various embodiments.

“Base pairing moiety” refers to a heterocyclic moiety capable of hybridizing with a complementary heterocyclic moiety via hydrogen bonds (e.g., Watson-Crick base pairing). Base pairing moieties include natural and unnatural bases. Non-limiting examples of base pairing moieties are RNA and DNA bases such adenosine, guanosine, thymidine, cytosine and uridine and analogues thereof.

Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are also meant to encompass all compounds of structure (I) being isotopically-labelled by having one or more atoms replaced by an atom having a different atomic mass or mass number. Examples of isotopes that can be incorporated into the disclosed compounds include isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, fluorine, chlorine, and iodine, such as ²H, ³H, ¹¹C, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹³N, ¹⁵N, ¹⁵O, ¹⁷O, ¹⁸O, ³¹P, ³²P, ³⁵S, ¹⁸F, ³⁶Cl, ¹²³I, and ¹²⁵I, respectively.

Isotopically-labeled compounds of structure (I) can generally be prepared by conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art or by processes analogous to those described below and in the following Examples using an appropriate isotopically-labeled reagent in place of the non-labeled reagent previously employed.

“Stable compound” and “stable structure” are meant to indicate a compound that is sufficiently robust to survive isolation to a useful degree of purity from a reaction mixture, and formulation into an efficacious therapeutic agent.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not. For example, “optionally substituted alkyl” means that the alkyl group may or may not be substituted and that the description includes both substituted alkyl groups and alkyl groups having no substitution.

“Salt” includes both acid and base addition salts.

“Acid addition salt” refers to those salts which are formed with inorganic acids such as, but not limited to, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and the like, and organic acids such as, but not limited to, acetic acid, 2,2-dichloroacetic acid, adipic acid, alginic acid, ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid, 4-acetamidobenzoic acid, camphoric acid, camphor-10-sulfonic acid, capric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, carbonic acid, cinnamic acid, citric acid, cyclamic acid, dodecylsulfuric acid, ethane-1,2-disulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, galactaric acid, gentisic acid, glucoheptonic acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glutamic acid, glutaric acid, 2-oxo-glutaric acid, glycerophosphoric acid, glycolic acid, hippuric acid, isobutyric acid, lactic acid, lactobionic acid, lauric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, mucic acid, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic acid, naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, nicotinic acid, oleic acid, orotic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, pamoic acid, propionic acid, pyroglutamic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, 4-aminosalicylic acid, sebacic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, thiocyanic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, undecylenic acid, and the like.

“Base addition salt” refers to those salts which are prepared from addition of an inorganic base or an organic base to the free acid. Salts derived from inorganic bases include, but are not limited to, sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, aluminum salts and the like. Salts derived from organic bases include, but are not limited to, salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines and basic ion exchange resins, such as ammonia, isopropylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, diethanolamine, ethanolamine, deanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, 2-diethylaminoethanol, dicyclohexylamine, lysine, arginine, histidine, caffeine, procaine, hydrabamine, choline, betaine, benethamine, benzathine, ethylenediamine, glucosamine, methylglucamine, theobromine, triethanolamine, tromethamine, purines, piperazine, piperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, polyamine resins and the like. Particularly preferred organic bases are isopropylamine, diethylamine, ethanolamine, trimethylamine, dicyclohexylamine, choline and caffeine.

Crystallizations may produce a solvate of the compounds described herein. Embodiments of the present invention include all solvates of the described compounds. As used herein, the term “solvate” refers to an aggregate that comprises one or more molecules of a compound of the invention with one or more molecules of solvent. The solvent may be water, in which case the solvate may be a hydrate. Alternatively, the solvent may be an organic solvent. Thus, the compounds of the present invention may exist as a hydrate, including a monohydrate, dihydrate, hemihydrate, sesquihydrate, trihydrate, tetrahydrate and the like, as well as the corresponding solvated forms. The compounds of the invention may be true solvates, while in other cases the compounds of the invention may merely retain adventitious water or another solvent or be a mixture of water plus some adventitious solvent.

Embodiments of the compounds of the invention (e.g., compounds of structure I), or their salts, tautomers or solvates may contain one or more asymmetric centers and may thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric forms that may be defined, in terms of absolute stereochemistry, as (R)- or (S)- or, as (D)- or (L)- for amino acids. Embodiments of the present invention are meant to include all such possible isomers, as well as their racemic and optically pure forms. Optically active (+) and (−), (R)- and (S)-, or (D)- and (L)-isomers may be prepared using chiral synthons or chiral reagents, or resolved using conventional techniques, for example, chromatography and fractional crystallization. Conventional techniques for the preparation/isolation of individual enantiomers include chiral synthesis from a suitable optically pure precursor or resolution of the racemate (or the racemate of a salt or derivative) using, for example, chiral high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). When the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds or other centers of geometric asymmetry, and unless specified otherwise, it is intended that the compounds include both E and Z geometric isomers. Likewise, all tautomeric forms are also intended to be included.

A “stereoisomer” refers to a compound made up of the same atoms bonded by the same bonds but having different three-dimensional structures, which are not interchangeable. The present invention contemplates various stereoisomers and mixtures thereof and includes “enantiomers”, which refers to two stereoisomers whose molecules are nonsuperimposeable mirror images of one another.

A “tautomer” refers to a proton shift from one atom of a molecule to another atom of the same molecule. The present invention includes tautomers of any said compounds. Various tautomeric forms of the compounds are easily derivable by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The chemical naming protocol and structure diagrams used herein are a modified form of the I.U.P.A.C. nomenclature system, using the ACD/Name Version 9.07 software program and/or ChemDraw Ultra Version 11.0 software naming program (CambridgeSoft). Common names familiar to one of ordinary skill in the art are also used.

As noted above, in one embodiment of the present invention, compounds useful as fluorescent and/or colored dyes in various analytical methods are provided. In general terms, embodiments of the present invention are directed to dimers and higher polymers of fluorescent and/or colored moieties. The fluorescent and or colored moieties are linked by a phosphorous-containing linkage. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed the linker helps to maintain sufficient spatial distance between the fluorescent and/or colored moieties such that intramolecular quenching is reduced or eliminated, thus resulting in a dye compound having a high molar “brightness” (e.g., high fluorescence emission). Advantageously, in certain embodiments the linker increases the water solubility of the fluorescent and/or colored moiety, which are typically hydrophobic and poorly water soluble.

In some embodiments is provided a compound having the following structure (I):

or a stereoisomer, salt or tautomer thereof, wherein:

M is, at each occurrence, independently a monovalent moiety comprising two or more carbon-carbon double bonds and at least one degree of conjugation;

M′ is, at each occurrence, independently a divalent moiety comprising two or more carbon-carbon double bonds and at least one degree of conjugation;

L, L² and L³ are, at each occurrence, independently an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene or heteroatomic linker;

L¹ is at each occurrence, independently either: i) an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene or heteroatomic linker; or ii) a linker comprising a functional group capable of formation by reaction of two complementary reactive groups;

L⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently an alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, carbocyclic or heterocyclic linker;

R¹ is, at each occurrence, independently H, alkyl or alkoxy;

R² and R³ are each independently H, OH, SH, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylether, heteroalkyl, —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), Q or L′;

R⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d);

R⁵ is, at each occurrence, independently oxo, thioxo or absent;

R_(a) is O or S;

R_(b) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d);

R_(c) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d), OL′, SR_(d), alkyl, alkoxy, heteroalkyl, heteroalkoxy, alkylether, alkoxyalkylether, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether or thiophosphoalkylether;

R_(d) is a counter ion;

Q is, at each occurrence, independently a moiety comprising a reactive group, or protected analogue thereof, capable of forming a covalent bond with an analyte molecule, a targeting moiety, a solid support or a complementary reactive group Q;

L′ is, at each occurrence, independently a linker comprising a covalent bond to Q, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a targeting moiety, a linker comprising a covalent bond to an analyte molecule, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support residue, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a nucleoside or a linker comprising a covalent bond to a further compound of structure (I);

m¹ and m² are, at each occurrence, independently an integer of zero or greater;

n, x and y are each independently an integer of zero or greater for each integral value of z; and

z is an integer of 1 or greater,

provided that x is 1 or greater for at least one integral value of z, and at least one of n or y is 1 or greater for at least one integral value of z.

In other embodiments of structure (I):

M is, at each occurrence, independently a monovalent moiety comprising two or more carbon-carbon double bonds and at least one degree of conjugation;

M′ is, at each occurrence, independently a divalent moiety comprising two or more carbon-carbon double bonds and at least one degree of conjugation;

L, L² and L³ are, at each occurrence, independently an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene or heteroatomic linker;

L¹ is at each occurrence, independently either: i) an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene or heteroatomic linker; or ii) a linker comprising a functional group capable of formation by reaction of two complementary reactive groups;

L⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently an alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, carbocyclic or heterocyclic linker;

R¹ is, at each occurrence, independently H, alkyl or alkoxy;

R² and R³ are each independently H, OH, SH, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylether, —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), Q, a linker comprising a covalent bond to Q, a linker comprising a covalent bond to an analyte molecule, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support or a linker comprising a covalent bond to a further compound of structure (I), wherein: R_(a) is O or S; R_(b) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d); R_(c) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d), SR_(d), alkyl, alkoxy, alkylether, alkoxyalkylether, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether or thiophosphoalkylether; and R_(d) is a counter ion;

R⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d);

R⁵ is, at each occurrence, independently oxo, thioxo or absent;

Q is, at each occurrence, independently a moiety comprising a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond with an analyte molecule, a solid support or a complementary reactive group Q;

m¹ and m² are, at each occurrence, independently an integer of zero or greater;

n, x and y are each independently an integer of zero or greater for each integral value of z; and

z is an integer of 1 or greater,

provided that x is 1 or greater for at least one integral value of z, and at least one of n or y is 1 or greater for at least one integral value of z.

In some embodiments, y is 1 or greater for at least one integral value of z. In other embodiments, n is 1 or greater for at least one integral value of z.

In some more specific embodiments, the compound has the following structure (IA):

wherein y is an integer of 1 or greater, for example an integer from 1 to 10.

The linker L is selected to provide the desired spacing between M′ groups, and in certain embodiments to provide increased water solubility to the compounds. In some embodiments, L¹ is at each occurrence, independently an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene or heteroatomic linker. In other embodiments, L′ is at each occurrence, independently a linker comprising a functional group capable of formation by reaction of two complementary reactive groups, for example a Q group. In some embodiments L is, at each occurrence, independently an alkylene linker, for example a C₁-C₆ alkylene linker. In some embodiments, L is a C₃ linker, such as a propylene linker.

M′ is chosen based on the desired end use application. M′ is a bivalent moiety, meaning that it is attached to the rest of the compound of structure (I) at two positions. In certain embodiments, M′ is, at each occurrence, independently a bivalent: dimethylaminostilbene, quinacridone, fluorophenyl-dimethyl-BODIPY, his-fluorophenyl-BODIPY, acridine, terrylene, sexiphenyl, porphyrin, benzopyrene, (fluorophenyl-dimethyl-difluorobora-diaza-indacene)phenyl, (bis-fluorophenyl-difluorobora-diaza-indacene)phenyl, quaterphenyl, bi-benzothiazole, ter-benzothiazole, bi-naphthyl, bi-anthracyl, squaraine, squarylium, 9, 10-ethynylanthracene or ter-naphthyl moiety.

In different embodiments, M′ is, at each occurrence, independently a bivalent: p-terphenyl, perylene, azobenzene, phenazine, phenanthroline, acridine, thioxanthrene, chrysene, rubrene, coronene, cyanine, perylene imide, or perylene amide or derivative thereof.

In yet more embodiments, M′ is, at each occurrence, independently a bivalent: coumarin dye, resorufin dye, dipyrrometheneboron difluoride dye, ruthenium bipyridyl dye, energy transfer dye, thiazole orange dye, polymethine or N-aryl-1,8-naphthalimide dye.

In other embodiments, M′ is, at each occurrence, independently a bivalent: pyrene, perylene, perylene monoimide or 6-FAM or derivative thereof.

In some other specific embodiments, M′, at each occurrence, independently has one of the following structures:

It is understood that compounds enclosed in brackets, i.e., [ ], are bivalent, and are attached to the remainder of the compound of structure (I) in two positions. In other words, two hydrogen atoms have been replaced with a bond to L or the appropriate group when L is absent.

In some more specific embodiments, M′, at each occurrence, has the following structure:

The various linkers and substituents (e.g., R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, L, L′, L¹, L², L³, L⁴, Q, M and M′) in the compound of structure (I) are optionally substituted with one more substituent. For example, in some embodiments the optional substituent is selected to optimize the water solubility or other property of the compound of structure (I). In certain embodiments, each alkyl, alkoxy, alkylether, alkoxyalkylether, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether and thiophosphoalkylether in the compound of structure (I) is optionally substituted with one more substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkylether, alkoxyalkylether, sulfhydryl, amino, alkylamino, carboxyl, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether and thiophosphoalkylether. In certain embodiments the optional substituent is —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), where R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c) are as defined for the compound of structure (I).

The linker L¹ can be used as a point of attachment of the M moiety to the remainder of the compound. For example, in some embodiments a synthetic precursor to the compound of structure (I) is prepared, and the M moiety is attached to the synthetic precursor using any number of facile methods known in the art, for example methods referred to as “click chemistry.” For this purpose any reaction which is rapid and substantially irreversible can be used to attach M to the synthetic precursor to form a compound of structure (I). Exemplary reactions include the copper catalyzed reaction of an azide and alkyne to form a triazole (Huisgen 1, 3-dipolar cycloaddition), reaction of a diene and dienophile (Diels-Alder), strain-promoted alkyne-nitrone cycloaddition, reaction of a strained alkene with an azide, tetrazine or tetrazole, alkene and azide [3+2] cycloaddition, alkene and tetrazine inverse-demand Diels-Alder, alkene and tetrazole photoreaction and various displacement reactions, such as displacement of a leaving group by nucleophilic attack on an electrophilic atom. Exemplary displacement reactions include reaction of an amine with: an activated ester; an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester; an isocyanate; an isothioscyanate or the like. In some embodiments the reaction to form L¹ may be performed in an aqueous environment.

Accordingly, in some embodiments L¹ is a functional group which is the product of one of the foregoing “click” reactions. In various embodiments, for at least one occurrence of L¹, the functional group can be formed by reaction of an aldehyde, oxime, hydrazone, alkyne, amine, azide, acylazide, acylhalide, nitrile, nitrone, sulfhydryl, disulfide, sulfonyl halide, isothiocyanate, imidoester, activated ester (e.g., N-hydroxysuccinimide ester), ketone, α,β-unsaturated carbonyl, alkene, maleimide, α-haloimide, epoxide, aziridine, tetrazine, tetrazole, phosphine, biotin or thiirane functional group with a complementary reactive group. For example, reaction of an amine with an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester or isothiocyanate.

In other embodiments, for at least one occurrence of L¹, the functional group can be formed by reaction of an alkyne and an azide. In other embodiments, for at least one occurrence of L¹, the functional group can be formed by reaction of an amine (e.g., primary amine) and an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester or isothiocyanate.

In more embodiments, for at least one occurrence of L¹, the functional group comprises an alkene, ester, amide, thioester, disulfide, carbocyclic, heterocyclic or heteroaryl group. In more embodiments, for at least one occurrence of L¹, the functional group comprises an alkene, ester, amide, thioester, thiourea, disulfide, carbocyclic, heterocyclic or heteroaryl group. In other embodiments, the functional group comprises an amide or thiourea. In some more specific embodiments, for at least one occurrence of L¹, L¹ is a linker comprising a triazolyl functional group. While in other embodiments, for at least one occurrence of L¹, L¹ is a linker comprising an amide or thiourea functional group.

In still other embodiments, for at least one occurrence of L¹, L¹-M has the following structure:

wherein L^(1a) and L^(1b) are each independently optional linkers.

In different embodiments, for at least one occurrence of L¹, L¹-M has the following structure:

wherein L^(1a) and L^(1b) are each independently optional linkers.

In various embodiments of the foregoing, L^(1a) or L^(1b), or both, is absent. In other embodiments, L^(1a) or L^(1b), or both, is present.

In some embodiments L^(1a) and L^(1b), when present, are each independently alkylene or heteroalkylene. For example, in some embodiments L^(1a) and L^(1b), when present, independently have one of the following structures:

In more embodiments, L², L³ and L⁴ are, at each occurrence, independently C₁-C₆ alkylene, C₂-C₆ alkenylene or C₂-C₆ alkynylene. In other embodiments, L⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently C₁-C₆ alkylene, C₂-C₆ alkenylene or C₂-C₆ alkynylene. In still different embodiments, L⁴ is an ethylene oxide linker, for example a triethylene oxide or hexaethylene oxide linker. In still different embodiments, L⁴ is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic linker, for example a multicyclic, fused carbocyclic or heterocyclic linker.

In still other embodiments of any of the foregoing compounds of structure (I), R⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently OH, O⁻ or OR_(d). It is understood that “OR_(d)” and “SR_(d)” are intended to refer to O⁻ and S⁻ associated with a cation. For example, the disodium salt of a phosphate group may be represented as:

where R^(d) is sodium (Na⁺).

In other embodiments of any of the compounds of structure (I), R⁵ is, at each occurrence, oxo.

In some different embodiments of any of the foregoing compounds, R¹ is H.

In other various embodiments, R² and R³ are each independently OH or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c). In some different embodiments, R² or R³ is OH or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), and the other of R² or R³ is Q or a linker comprising a covalent bond to Q.

In still more different embodiments of any of the foregoing compounds of structure (I), R² and R³ are each independently —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c). In some of these embodiments, R_(c) is OL′.

In other embodiments, R² and R³ are each independently —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))OL′, and L′ is an alkylene or heteroalkylene linker to: Q, a targeting moiety, an analyte (e.g., analyte molecule), a solid support, a solid support residue, a nucleoside or a further compound of structure (I).

The linker L′ can be any linker suitable for attaching Q, a targeting moiety, an analyte (e.g., analyte molecule), a solid support, a solid support residue, a nucleoside or a further compound of structure (I) to the compound of structure (I). Advantageously certain embodiments include use of L′ moieties selected to increase or optimize water solubility of the compound. In certain embodiments, L′ is a heteroalkylene moiety. In some other certain embodiments, L′ comprises an alkylene oxide or phosphodiester moiety, or combinations thereof.

In certain embodiments. L′ has the following structure:

wherein:

m″ and n″ are independently an integer from 1 to 10;

R^(e) is H, an electron pair or a counter ion;

L″ is R^(e) or a direct bond or linkage to: Q, a targeting moiety, an analyte (e.g., analyte molecule), a solid support, a solid support residue, a nucleoside or a further compound of structure (I).

In some embodiments, m″ is an integer from 4 to 10, for example 4, 6 or 10. In other embodiments n″ is an integer from 3 to 6, for example 3, 4, 5 or 6.

In some other embodiments, L″ is an alkylene or heteroalkylene moiety. In some other certain embodiments, L″ comprises an alkylene oxide, phosphodiester moiety, sulfhydryl, disulfide or maleimide moiety or combinations thereof.

In certain of the foregoing embodiments, the targeting moiety is an antibody or cell surface receptor antagonist.

In other more specific embodiments of any of the foregoing compounds of structure (I), R² or R³ has one of the following structures:

Certain embodiments of compounds of structure (I) can be prepared according to solid-phase synthetic methods analogous to those known in the art for preparation of oligonucleotides. Accordingly, in some embodiments, L′ is a linkage to a solid support, a solid support residue or a nucleoside. Solid supports comprising an activated deoxythymidine (dT) group are readily available, and in some embodiments can be employed as starting material for preparation of compounds of structure (I). Accordingly, in some embodiments R² or R³ has the following structure:

One of skill in the art will understand that the dT group depicted above is included for ease of synthesis and economic efficiencies only, and is not required. Other solid supports can be used and would result in a different nucleoside or solid support residue being present on L′, or the nucleoside or solid support residue can be removed or modified post synthesis.

In still other embodiments, Q is, at each occurrence, independently a moiety comprising a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond with an analyte molecule or a solid support. In other embodiments, Q is, at each occurrence, independently a moiety comprising a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond with a complementary reactive group Q′. For example, in some embodiments, Q′ is present on a further compound of structure (I) (e.g., in the R² or R³ position), and Q and Q′ comprise complementary reactive groups such that reaction of the compound of structure (I) and the further compound of structure (I) results in covalently bound dimer of the compound of structure (I). Multimer compounds of structure (I) can also be prepared in an analogous manner and are included within the scope of embodiments of the invention.

The type of Q group and connectivity of the Q group to the remainder of the compound of structure (I) is not limited, provided that Q comprises a moiety having appropriate reactivity for forming the desired bond.

In certain embodiments, the Q is a moiety which is not susceptible to hydrolysis under aqueous conditions, but is sufficiently reactive to form a bond with a corresponding group on an analyte molecule or solid support (e.g., an amine, azide or alkyne).

Certain embodiments of compounds of structure (I) comprises Q groups commonly employed in the field of bioconjugation. For example in some embodiments, Q comprises a nucleophilic reactive group, an electrophilic reactive group or a cycloaddition reactive group. In some more specific embodiments, Q comprises a sulfhydryl, disulfide, activated ester, isothiocyanate, azide, alkyne, alkene, diene, dienophile, acid halide, sulfonyl halide, phosphine, α-haloamide, biotin, amino or maleimide functional group. In some embodiments, the activated ester is an N-succinimide ester, imidoester or polyfluorophenyl ester. In other embodiments, the alkyne is an alkyl azide or acyl azide.

The Q groups can be conveniently provided in protected form to increase storage stability or other desired properties, and then the protecting group removed at the appropriate time for conjugation with, for example, a targeting moiety or analyte. Accordingly, Q groups include “protected forms” of a reactive group, including any of the reactive groups described above and in the Table 1 below. A “protected form” of Q refers to a moiety having lower reactivity under predetermined reaction conditions relative to Q, but which can be converted to Q under conditions, which preferably do not degrade or react with other portions of the compound of structure (I). One of skill in the art can derive appropriate protected forms of Q based on the particular Q and desired end use and storage conditions. For example, when Q is SH, a protected form of Q includes a disulfide, which can be reduce to reveal the SH moiety using commonly known techniques and reagents.

In other embodiments, the Q moiety is conveniently masked (e.g., protected) as a disulfide moiety, which can later be reduced to provide an activated Q moiety for binding to a desired analyte molecule or targeting moiety. For example, the Q moiety may be masked as a disulfide having the following structure:

wherein R is an optionally substituted alkyl group. For example, in some embodiments, Q is provided as a disulfide moiety having the following structure:

where n is an integer from 1 to 10, for example 6.

Exemplary Q moieties are provided in Table I below.

TABLE 1 Exemplary Q Moieties Structure Class

Sulfhydryl

Isothiocyanate

Imidoester

Acyl Azide

Activated Ester

Activated Ester

Activated Ester

Activated Ester

Activated Ester

Activated Ester

Sulfonyl halide

Maleimide

Maleimide

Maleimide

α-haloimide

Disulfide

Phosphine

Azide

Alkyne

Biotin

Diene

Alkene/dienophile

Alkene/dienophile —NH₂ Amino

It should be noted that in some embodiments, wherein Q is SH, the SH moiety will tend to form disulfide bonds with another sulfhydryl group on another compound of structure (I). Accordingly, some embodiments include compounds of structure (I), which are in the form of disulfide dimers, the disulfide bond being derived from SH Q groups.

In some other embodiments, one of R² or R³ is OH or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), and the other of R² or R³ is a linker comprising a covalent bond to an analyte molecule or a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support. For example, in some embodiments the analyte molecule is a nucleic acid, amino acid or a polymer thereof. In other embodiments, the analyte molecule is an enzyme, receptor, receptor ligand, antibody, glycoprotein, aptamer or prion. In still different embodiments, the solid support is a polymeric bead or nonpolymeric bead.

The value for m′ is another variable that can be selected based on the desired fluorescence and/or color intensity. In some embodiments, m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 1 to 10, 3 to 10 or 7 to 9. In other embodiments, m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 1 to 5, for example 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. In other embodiments, m is, at each occurrence, independently an integer from 5 to 10, for example 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10. In other embodiments, each occurrence of m is an integer of one or greater. For example, in some embodiments each occurrence of m is an integer of two or greater or three or greater.

In some embodiments, m² is 1 at each occurrence.

The fluorescence intensity can also be tuned by selection of different values of n. In certain embodiments, n is an integer from 1 to 100. In other embodiments, n is an integer from 1 to 10. In some embodiments, n is 1.

M is selected based on the desired optical properties, for example based on a desired color and/or fluorescence emission wavelength. In some embodiments, M is the same at each occurrence; however, it is important to note that each occurrence of M need not be an identical M, and certain embodiments include compounds wherein M is not the same at each occurrence. For example, in some embodiments each M is not the same and the different M moieties are selected to have absorbance and/or emissions for use in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) methods. For example, in such embodiments the different M moieties are selected such that absorbance of radiation at one wavelength causes emission of radiation at a different wavelength by a FRET mechanism. Exemplary M moieties can be appropriately selected by one of ordinary skill in the art based on the desired end use. Exemplary M moieties for FRET methods include fluorescein and 5-TAMRA (5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine, succinimidyl ester) dyes.

M may be attached to the remainder of the molecule from any position (i.e., atom) on M. One of skill in the art will recognize means for attaching M to the remainder of molecule. Exemplary methods include the “click” reactions described herein.

In some embodiments, M is a fluorescent or colored moiety. Any fluorescent and/or colored moiety may be used, for examples those known in the art and typically employed in colorimetric, UV, and/or fluorescent assays may be used. Examples of M moieties which are useful in various embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to: Xanthene derivatives (e.g., fluorescein, rhodamine, Oregon green, eosin or Texas red); Cyanine derivatives (e.g., cyanine, indocarbocyanine, oxacarbocyanine, thiacarbocyanine or merocyanine); Squaraine derivatives and ring-substituted squaraines, including Seta, SeTau, and Square dyes; Naphthalene derivatives (e.g., dansyl and prodan derivatives); Coumarin derivatives; oxadiazole derivatives (e.g., pyridyloxazole, nitrobenzoxadiazole or benzoxadiazole); Anthracene derivatives (e.g., anthraquinones, including DRAQ5, DRAQ7 and CyTRAK Orange); Pyrene derivatives such as cascade blue; Oxazine derivatives (e.g., Nile red, Nile blue, cresyl violet, oxazine 170); Acridine derivatives (e.g., proflavin, acridine orange, acridine yellow); Arylmethine derivatives: auramine, crystal violet, malachite green; and Tetrapyrrole derivatives (e.g., porphin, phthalocyanine or bilirubin). Other exemplary M moieties include: Cyanine dyes, xanthate dyes (e.g., Hex, Vic, Nedd, Joe or Tet); Yakima yellow; Redmond red; tamra; texas red and alexa Fluor® dyes.

In still other embodiments of any of the foregoing, M comprises three or more aryl or heteroaryl rings, or combinations thereof, for example four or more aryl or heteroaryl rings, or combinations thereof, or even five or more aryl or heteroaryl rings, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, M comprises six aryl or heteroaryl rings, or combinations thereof. In further embodiments, the rings are fused. For example in some embodiments, M comprises three or more fused rings, four or more fused rings, five or more fused rings, or even six or more fused rings.

In some embodiments, M is cyclic. For example, in some embodiments M is carbocyclic. In other embodiment, M is heterocyclic. In still other embodiments of the foregoing, M, at each occurrence, independently comprises an aryl moiety. In some of these embodiments, the aryl moiety is multicyclic. In other more specific examples, the aryl moiety is a fused-multicyclic aryl moiety, for example which may comprise at least 3, at least 4, or even more than 4 aryl rings.

In other embodiments of any of the foregoing compounds of structure (I), M, at each occurrence, independently comprises at least one heteroatom. For example, in some embodiments, the heteroatom is nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur.

In still more embodiments of any of the foregoing, M, at each occurrence, independently comprises at least one substituent. For example, in some embodiments the substituent is a fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, hydroxy, sulfhydryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, phenyl, aryl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, carboxy, sulfonate, amide, or formyl group.

In some even more specific embodiments of the foregoing, M, at each occurrence, independently is a dimethylaminostilbene, quinacridone, fluorophenyl-dimethyl-BODIPY, his-fluorophenyl-BODIPY, acridine, terrylene, sexiphenyl, porphyrin, benzopyrene, (fluorophenyl-dimethyl-difluorobora-diaza-indacene)phenyl, (bis-fluorophenyl-difluorobora-diaza-indacene)phenyl, quaterphenyl, bi-benzothiazole, ter-benzothiazole, bi-naphthyl, bi-anthracyl, squaraine, squarylium, 9, 10-ethynylanthracene or ter-naphthyl moiety. In other embodiments, M is, at each occurrence, independently p-terphenyl, perylene, azobenzene, phenazine, phenanthroline, acridine, thioxanthrene, chrysene, rubrene, coronene, cyanine, perylene imide, or perylene amide or a derivative thereof. In still more embodiments, M is, at each occurrence, independently a coumarin dye, resorufin dye, dipyrrometheneboron difluoride dye, ruthenium bipyridyl dye, energy transfer dye, thiazole orange dye, polymethine or N-aryl-1,8-naphthalimide dye.

In still more embodiments of any of the foregoing, M at each occurrence is the same. In other embodiments, each M is different. In still more embodiments, one or more M is the same and one or more M is different.

In some embodiments, M is pyrene, perylene, perylene monoimide or 6-FAM or derivative thereof. In some other embodiments, M has one of the following structures:

Although M moieties comprising carboxylic acid groups are depicted in the anionic form (CO₂ ⁻) above, one of skill in the art will understand that this will vary depending on pH, and the protonated form (CO₂H) is included in various embodiments.

In some specific embodiments, the compound of structure (I) has the following structure:

wherein y is an integer greater than 1, for example an integer from 1 to 10.

The presently disclosed dye compounds are “tunable,” meaning that by proper selection of the variables in any of the foregoing compounds, one of skill in the art can arrive at a compound having a desired and/or predetermined molar fluorescence (molar brightness). The tunability of the compounds allows the user to easily arrive at compounds having the desired fluorescence and/or color for use in a particular assay or for identifying a specific analyte of interest. Although all variables may have an effect on the molar fluorescence of the compounds, proper selection of M, M′, m¹, m², n, x, y and z is believed to play an important role in the molar fluorescence of the compounds. Accordingly, in one embodiment is provided a method for obtaining a compound having a desired molar fluorescence, the method comprising selecting an M and/or M′ moiety having a known fluorescence, preparing a compound of structure (I) comprising the M and/or M′ moiety, and selecting the appropriate variables for m¹, m², n, x, y and z to arrive at the desired molar fluorescence.

Molar fluorescence in certain embodiments can be expressed in terms of the fold increase or decrease relative to the fluorescence emission of the parent fluorophore (e.g., monomer). In some embodiments the molar fluorescence of the present compounds is 1.1×, 1.5×, 2×, 3×, 4×, 5×, 6×, 7×, 8×, 9×10× or even higher relative to the parent fluorophore. Various embodiments include preparing compounds having the desired fold increase in fluorescence relative to the parent fluorophore by proper selection of m and n.

For ease of illustration, various compounds comprising phosphorous moieties (e.g., phosphate and the like) are depicted in the anionic state (e.g., —OPO(OH)O⁻, —OPO₃ ²⁻). One of skill in the art will readily understand that the charge is dependent on pH and the uncharged (e.g., protonated or salt, such as sodium or other cation) forms are also included in the scope of embodiments of the invention.

In some embodiments, any of the foregoing compounds of structure (I) are included in a composition further comprising one or more cyclodextrin. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed the cyclodextrin helps to prevent or reduce intramolecular quenching of the dye moieties (e.g., fluorescent and/or colored moieties), thus resulting in a dye compound having a high molar “brightness” (e.g., high fluorescence emission).

Any cyclodextrin may be employed in practice of various embodiments, provided the cyclodextrins reduces or prevents intramolecular quenching of the dye moieties. Typically a cyclodextrin having affinity for the particular compound of structure (I) are selected. In some embodiments, the cyclodextrin is α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin or γ-cyclodextrin. For example, in some embodiments the cyclodextrin is β-cyclodextrin. In some embodiments, such compositions comprise water.

Compositions comprising any of the foregoing compounds and one or more analyte molecules (e.g., biomolecules) are provided in various other embodiments. In some embodiments, use of such compositions in analytical methods for detection of the one or more analyte molecules are also provided.

In still other embodiments, the compounds are useful in various analytical methods. For example, in certain embodiments the disclosure provides a method of staining a sample, the method comprising adding to said sample a compound of structure (I), for example wherein one of R² or R³ is a linker comprising a covalent bond to an analyte molecule (e.g., biomolecule) or microparticle, and the other of R² or R³ is H, OH, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylether or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), in an amount sufficient to produce an optical response when said sample is illuminated at an appropriate wavelength.

In some embodiments of the foregoing methods, R² is a linker comprising a covalent linkage to an analyte molecule, such as a biomolecule. For example, a nucleic acid, amino acid or a polymer thereof (e.g., polynucleotide or polypeptide). In still more embodiments, the biomolecule is an enzyme, receptor, receptor ligand, antibody, glycoprotein, aptamer or prion.

In yet other embodiments of the foregoing method, R² is a linker comprising a covalent linkage to a solid support such as a microparticle. For example, in some embodiments the microparticle is a polymeric bead or nonpolymeric bead.

In even more embodiments, said optical response is a fluorescent response.

In other embodiments, said sample comprises cells, and some embodiments further comprise observing said cells by flow cytometry.

In still more embodiments, the method further comprises distinguishing the fluorescence response from that of a second fluorophore having detectably different optical properties.

In other embodiments, the disclosure provides a method for visually detecting an analyte molecule, such as a biomolecule, comprising:

-   -   (a) providing a compound of structure (I), for example, wherein         one of R² or R³ is a linker comprising a covalent bond to the         analyte molecule, and the other of R² or R³ is H, OH, alkyl,         alkoxy, alkylether or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c); and     -   (b) detecting the compound by its visible properties.

In some embodiments the analyte molecule is a nucleic acid, amino acid or a polymer thereof (e.g., polynucleotide or polypeptide). In still more embodiments, the analyte molecule is an enzyme, receptor, receptor ligand, antibody, glycoprotein, aptamer or prion.

In other embodiments, a method for visually detecting an analyte molecule, such as a biomolecule is provided, the method comprising:

-   -   (a) admixing any of the foregoing compounds with one or more         analyte molecules; and     -   (b) detecting the compound by its visible properties.

In other embodiments is provided a method for visually detecting an analyte molecule, the method comprising:

-   -   (a) admixing the compound of claim 1, wherein R² or R³ is Q or a         linker comprising a covalent bond to Q, with the analyte         molecule;     -   (b) forming a conjugate of the compound and the analyte         molecule; and     -   (c) detecting the conjugate by its visible properties.

Other exemplary methods include a method for detecting an analyte, the method comprising:

-   -   (a) providing a compound of structure (I), wherein R² or R³         comprises a linker comprising a covalent bond to a targeting         moiety having specificity for the analyte;     -   (b) admixing the compound and the analyte, thereby associating         the targeting moiety and the analyte; and     -   (c) detecting the compound, for example by its visible or         fluorescent properties.

In certain embodiments of the foregoing method, the analyte is a particle, such as a cell, and the method includes use of flow cytometry. For example, the compound may be provided with a targeting moiety, such as an antibody, for selectively associating with the desired cell, thus rendering the cell detectable by any number of techniques, such as visible or fluorescence detection. Appropriate antibodies can be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art depending on the desired end use. Exemplary antibodies for use in certain embodiments include UCHT1 and MOPC-21.

Embodiments of the present compounds thus find utility in any number of methods, including, but not limited: cell counting; cell sorting; biomarker detection; quantifying apoptosis; determining cell viability; identifying cell surface antigens; determining total DNA and/or RNA content; identifying specific nucleic acid sequences (e.g., as a nucleic acid probe); and diagnosing diseases, such as blood cancers.

In some other different embodiments, the compounds of structure (I) can be used in various for analysis of cells. For example, by use of flow cytometry, the compounds can be used to discriminate between live and dead cells, evaluate the health of cells (e.g., necrosis vs. early apoptitic vs. late apoptitic vs. live cell), tracking ploidy and mitosis during the cell cycle and determining various states of cell proliferation. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that embodiments of the compounds of structure (I) preferentially bind or otherwise associate with positively charged moieties. Accordingly, in some embodiments the compounds may be used in methods for determining the presence of non-intact cells, for example necrotic cells. For example, the presence of necrotic cells can be determined by admixing a sample containing cells with a compound of structure (I) and analyzing the mixture by flow cytometry. The compound of structure (I) binds or associates with necrotic cells, and thus their presence is detectable under flow cytometry conditions. In contrast to other staining reagents which require an amine reactive group (or other reactive group) to bind to necrotic cells, embodiments of the staining methods of employing compounds of structure (I) do not require a protein-free incubation buffer, and thus the methods are more efficient to perform than related known methods.

Accordingly, in some embodiments the invention provides a method for determining the presence of dead cells in a sample, the method comprising contacting the sample with a compound of structure (I), thereby binding or associating the compound with the dead cells, and observing a fluorescent signal from the compound bound or associated with the dead cells. For example, some embodiments comprise use of flow cytometry to observe the compound bound or associated with the dead cells. As noted above, certain methods do not require use of reactive groups to bind or associate with the dead cells. Accordingly, in certain embodiments the compound of structure (I) for use in identification of dead cells is a compound of structure (I), wherein R² and R³ are each independently OH or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c).

In various other embodiments, the compounds can be used in related methods for determine the presence of positively charged moieties in intact or non-intact cells, apoptitic bodies, depolarized membranes and/or permealized membranes.

In addition to the above methods, embodiments of the compounds of structure (I) find utility in various disciplines and methods, including but not limited to: imaging in endoscopy procedures for identification of cancerous and other tissues; single-cell and/or single molecule analytical methods, for example detection of polynucleotides with little or no amplification; cancer imaging, for example by including a targeting moiety, such as an antibody or sugar or other moiety that preferentially binds cancer cells, in a compound of structure (I) to; imaging in surgical procedures; binding of histones for identification of various diseases; drug delivery, for example by replacing the M moiety in a compound of structure (I) with an active drug moiety; and/or contrast agents in dental work and other procedures, for example by preferential binding of the compound of structure (I) to various flora and/or organisms.

It is understood that any embodiment of the compounds of structure (I), as set forth above, and any specific choice set forth herein for a R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, L, L′, L¹, L², L³, L⁴, M, M′, m¹, m², n, x, y and/or z variable in the compounds of structure (I), as set forth above, may be independently combined with other embodiments and/or variables of the compounds of structure (I) to form embodiments of the inventions not specifically set forth above. In addition, in the event that a list of choices is listed for any particular R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, L, L¹, L², L³, L⁴, Q, M, M′, m¹, m², n, x, y and/or z variable in a particular embodiment and/or claim, it is understood that each individual choice may be deleted from the particular embodiment and/or claim and that the remaining list of choices will be considered to be within the scope of the invention.

It is understood that in the present description, combinations of substituents and/or variables of the depicted formulae are permissible only if such contributions result in stable compounds.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in the process described herein the functional groups of intermediate compounds may need to be protected by suitable protecting groups. Such functional groups include hydroxy, amino, mercapto and carboxylic acid. Suitable protecting groups for hydroxy include trialkylsilyl or diarylalkylsilyl (for example, t-butyldimethylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl or trimethylsilyl), tetrahydropyranyl, benzyl, and the like. Suitable protecting groups for amino, amidino and guanidino include t-butoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, and the like. Suitable protecting groups for mercapto include —C(O)—R″ (where R″ is alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl), p-methoxybenzyl, trityl and the like. Suitable protecting groups for carboxylic acid include alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl esters. Protecting groups may be added or removed in accordance with standard techniques, which are known to one skilled in the art and as described herein. The use of protecting groups is described in detail in Green, T. W. and P. G. M. Wutz, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis (1999), 3rd Ed., Wiley. As one of skill in the art would appreciate, the protecting group may also be a polymer resin such as a Wang resin, Rink resin or a 2-chlorotrityl-chloride resin.

Furthermore, all compounds of the invention which exist in free base or acid form can be converted to their salts by treatment with the appropriate inorganic or organic base or acid by methods known to one skilled in the art. Salts of the compounds of the invention can be converted to their free base or acid form by standard techniques.

The following Reaction Schemes illustrate exemplary methods of making compounds of this invention. It is understood that one skilled in the art may be able to make these compounds by similar methods or by combining other methods known to one skilled in the art. It is also understood that one skilled in the art would be able to make, in a similar manner as described below, other compounds of structure (I) not specifically illustrated below by using the appropriate starting components and modifying the parameters of the synthesis as needed. In general, starting components may be obtained from sources such as Sigma Aldrich, Lancaster Synthesis, Inc., Maybridge, Matrix Scientific, TCI, and Fluorochem USA, etc. or synthesized according to sources known to those skilled in the art (see, for example, Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure, 5th edition (Wiley, December 2000)) or prepared as described in this invention.

Embodiments of the compounds of structure (I) are prepared according to the general procedures set forth in the Examples. Methods useful for preparation of intermediates for preparation of compounds of structure (I) are set forth below.

Reaction Scheme I illustrates an exemplary method for preparation of intermediates useful for preparation of compounds of structure (I). Referring to reaction Scheme I, where R¹, L¹, L², L³, G and M are as defined above, and R² and R³ are as defined above or are protected variants thereof, a compound of structure a, which can be purchased or prepared by well-known techniques, is reacted with M-G′ to yield compounds of structure b. Here, G and G′ represent functional groups having complementary reactivity (i.e., functional groups which react to form a covalent bond). G′ may be pendant to M or a part of the structural backbone of M. G and G′ may be any number of functional groups described herein, such as alkyne and azide, respectively, amine and activated ester, respectively or amine and isothiocyanate, respectively, and the like.

Intermediates for preparation of the compound of structure (I) may be prepared from structure b by reaction under well-known automated DNA synthesis conditions with a phosphoramidite compound having the following structure (c):

wherein L is independently an optional linker, followed by reaction with another compound of structure b. Multimer compounds are prepared by reacting the desired number of compounds of structure b sequentially with the appropriate phosphoramidite reagent under DNA synthesis conditions.

Alternatively, the compounds are prepared by first synthesizing a dimeric or oligomeric compound having the following structure d under typical DNA synthesis conditions:

and then reacting the compound of structure d with M-L^(1b)-G′, wherein G is, at each occurrence, independently a moiety comprising a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond with a complementary reactive group G; L^(1a) and L^(1b) are, at each occurrence, independently an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene or heteroatomic linker; and M, L², L³, R¹, R², R³, and n are as defined herein for compounds of structure (I). The remaining portion of the compound of structure (I) is then added according to methods known in the art.

DNA synthesis methods are well-known in the art. Briefly, two alcohol groups, for example R² and R³ in intermediates b or d above, are functionalized with a dimethoxytrityl (DMT) group and a 2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylamino phosphoramidite group, respectively. The phosphoramidite group is coupled to an alcohol group, typically in the presence of an activator such as tetrazole, followed by oxidation of the phosphorous atom with iodine. The dimethoxytrityl group can be removed with acid (e.g., chloroacetic acid) to expose the free alcohol, which can be reacted with a phosphoramidite group. The 2-cyanoethyl group can be removed after oligomerization by treatment with aqueous ammonia.

Preparation of the phosphoramidites used in the oligomerization methods is also well-known in the art. For example, a primary alcohol (e.g., R³) can be protected as a DMT group by reaction with DMT-Cl. A secondary alcohol (e.g., R²) is then functionalized as a phosphoramidite by reaction with an appropriate reagent such as 2-cyanoethyl N,N-dissopropylchlorophosphoramidite. Methods for preparation of phosphoramidites and their oligomerization are well-known in the art and described in more detail in the examples.

The following examples are provided for purposes of illustration, not limitation.

EXAMPLES

General Methods

¹H NMR spectra were obtained on a JEOL 400 MHz spectrometer. ¹H spectra were referenced against TMS. Reverse phase HPLC dye analysis was performed using a Waters Acquity UHPLC system with a 2.1 mm×50 mm Acquity BEH-C18 column held at 45° C. Mass spectral analysis was performed on a Waters/Micromass Quattro micro MS/MS system (in MS only mode) using MassLynx 4.1 acquisition software. Mobile phase used for LC/MS on dyes was 100 mM 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP), 8.6 mM triethylamine (TEA), pH 8. Phosphoramidites and precursor molecules were analyzed using a Waters Acquity UHPLC system with a 2.1 mm×50 mm Acquity BEH-C18 column held at 45° C., employing an acetonitrile/water mobile phase gradient. Molecular weights for monomer intermediates were obtained using tropylium cation infusion enhanced ionization on a Waters/Micromass Quattro micro MS/MS system (in MS only mode).¹ Excitation and emission profiles experiments were recorded on a Cary Eclipse spectra photometer.

All reactions were carried out in oven dried glassware under a nitrogen atmosphere unless otherwise stated. Commercially available DNA synthesis reagents were purchased from Glen Research (Sterling, Va.). Anhydrous pyridine, toluene, dichloromethane, diisopropylethyl amine, triethylamine, acetic acid, pyridine, and THF were purchased from Aldrich. All other chemicals were purchase from Aldrich or TCI and were used as is with no additional purification.

Compounds of structure (I) were synthesized on an ABI 394 DNA synthesizer using standard protocols for the phosphoramidite based coupling approach. The chain assembly cycle for the synthesis of oligonucleotide phosphoramidates was the following: (i) detritylation, 3% trichloroaceticacid in dichloromethane, 1 min; (ii) coupling, 0.1 M phosphoramidite and 0.45 M tetrazole in acetonitrile, 10 min; (iii) capping, 0.5 M acetic anhydride in THF/lutidine, 1/1, v/v 15 s; (iv) oxidation, 0.1 M iodine in THF/pyridine/water, 10/10/1, v/v/v, 30 s.

Chemical steps within the cycle were followed by acetonitrile washing and flushing with dry argon for 0.2-0.4 min. Cleavage from the support and removal of base and phosphoramidate protecting groups was achieved by treatment with ammonia for 1 hour at room temperature. Oligonucleotide dyes were then analyzed by reverse phase HPLC as described above.

Example 1 Preparation of a Bivalent Pyrene Phosphoramidite

Preparation of Dibromo-Perylene

In a 500 mL round bottomed flask with stirring bar was dissolved Perylene (2000 mg, 7.94 mmol) in THF (320 mL). To this was added N-bromosuccinimide (4240 mg, 23.8 mmol) in one portion and the mixture was allowed to stir overnight. The mixture was slowly poured onto water (1500 mL) with stirring. After 30 min of stirring, the solids were collected by filtration and dried under vacuum to afford dibromoperylene (2400 mg, 91%).

Preparation of perylene-C6-diol

An oven dried 250 mL round bottomed flask with stir bar was cooled under nitrogen. The flask was charged with 5-hexene-1-ol (378 μL, 3.2 mmol) and THF (48 mL) and placed under nitrogen. To this was added a solution of 9-BBN in THF (16 mL, 8.0 mmol, 0.5M) and the reaction vessel was equipped with a reflux condenser and heated to reflux overnight. After 18 h, the reaction was cooled to room temperature and a degassed solution of potassium phosphate (0.94 mL, 4.0 mmol, 4.2M) was added. Dibromoperylene (330 mg, 0.8 mmol) was added and the mixture degassed for 15 min by directly bubbling nitrogen through the mixture via a long needle. The needle was removed and the [1,1′-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (59 mg, 0.08 mmol) was added in a single portion. The reaction vessel was reequipped with the reflux condenser, placed under nitrogen and refluxed overnight. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted with dichloromethane (100 mL), filtered through celite and concentrated. The oily residue was purified by silica gel chromatography using a hexanes/ethyl acetate gradient to afford the desired diol as an oil (129 mg, 30%).

Preparation of Perylene C6-DMT-OH

In a 20 mL round bottomed flask with stir bar was placed perylene diol (125 mg, 0.34 mmol) and pyridine (2 mL), the mixture was stirred till fully dissolved. The flask was placed on ice for 15 min and 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride (110 mg, 0.3 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred at 4° C. overnight. Methanol (1 mL) was added to quench the reaction and allowed to stir for 10 min at 4° C. The mixture was concentrated on the rotovap (bath temp<45° C.). The residue was redissolved in ethyl acetate and treated with a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate. The layers were partitioned by a separatory funnel and the organic layer was retained. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate twice, the organic layers were combined, washed with brine and dried over sodium sulfate. The organic layer was filtered and concentrated on a rotovap. The crude product was further purified by silica gel chromatography using a toluene/methanol gradient to afford the desired protected alcohol as an oil (118 mg, 52%).

Phosphitylation of perylene-DMT-OH

In a 50 mL round bottomed flask with stir bar was placed Perylene DMT-OH (70 mg, 0.10 mmol) in dry dichloromethane (4.2 mL). The mixture was stirred until the alcohol was fully dispersed. 2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylchlorophosphoramidite (46.4, 0.2 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (90.7 uL, 0.5 mmol) were added and the reaction was stirred for 2 h. The mixture was diluted with dichloromethane (25 mL) and then poured onto a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution. The layers were partitioned in an extraction funnel and the organic layer retained. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to an oil and used directly in solid phase synthesis (101 mg, 86%).

Example 2 Alternate Preparation of a Bivalent Pyrene Phosphoramidite

Preparation of perylene-C3-diol

An oven dried 500 mL round bottomed flask with stir bar was cooled under nitrogen. The flask was charged with 5-hexene-1-ol (2662 μL, 39 mmol) and THF (215 mL) and placed under nitrogen. To this was added a solution of 9-BBN in THF (176 mL, 8.0 mmol, 0.5M) and the reaction vessel was equipped with a reflux condenser and heated to reflux overnight. After 18 h, the reaction was cooled to room temperature and a degassed solution of potassium phosphate (mL, 24.4 mmol, 4.2M) was added. Dibromoperylene (2000 mg, 4.9 mmol) was added and the mixture degassed for 15 min by directly bubbling nitrogen through the mixture via a long needle. The needle was removed and the [1,1′-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II) (357 mg, 0.5 mmol) was added in a single portion. The reaction vessel was reequipped with the reflux condenser, placed under nitrogen and refluxed overnight. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted with dichloromethane (250 mL), filtered through celite and concentrated. The oily residue was purified by silica gel chromatography using a hexanes/ethyl acetate gradient to afford the desired diol as an oil (912 mg, 41%).

Preparation of Perylene C3-DMT-OH

In a 50 mL round bottomed flask with stir bar was placed perylene diol (1000 mg, 2.71 mmol) and pyridine (14 mL), the mixture was stirred till fully dissolved. The flask was placed on ice for 15 min and 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride (890 mg, 2.0 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred at 4° C. overnight. Methanol (5 mL) was added to quench the reaction and allowed to stir for 10 min at 4° C. The mixture was concentrated on the rotovap (bath temp<45° C.). The residue was redissolved in ethyl acetate and treated with a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate. The layers were partitioned by a separatory funnel and the organic layer was retained. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate twice, the organic layers were combined, washed with brine and dried over sodium sulfate. The organic layer was filtered and concentrated on a rotovap. The crude product was further purified by silica gel chromatography using a toluene/methanol gradient to afford the desired protected alcohol as an oil (624 mg, 34%).

Phosphitylation of perylene-DMT-OH

In a 100 mL round bottomed flask with stir bar was placed Perylene DMT-OH (623 mg, 0.93 mmol) in dry dichloromethane (37 mL). The mixture was stirred until the alcohol was fully dissolved. 2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylchlorophosphoramidite (413 μL, 1.9 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (807 μL, 4.6 mmol) were added and the reaction was stirred for 2 h. The reaction mixture was then diluted with dichloromethane (100 mL) and then poured onto a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution. The layers were partitioned in an extraction funnel and the organic layer retained. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to an oil. Additional purification was accomplished with silica gel chromatography to afford the desired product as an oil (401 mg, 49%).

Example 3 Synthesis of Compounds of Structure (I)

Compounds were synthesized on an Applied Biosystems 394 DNA/RNA synthesizer or on GE AKTÄ 10 OligoPilot on either 1 μmol or 10 μmol scales and possessed a 3′-phosphate group. Dyes were synthesized directly on CPG beads or on polystyrene solid support. The dyes were synthesized in the 3′ to 5′ direction by standard solid phase DNA methods. Coupling methods employed standard β-cyanoethyl phosphoramidite chemistry conditions. All phosphoramidite monomers were dissolved in acetonitrile/dichloromethane (0.1 M solutions), and were added in successive order using the following synthesis cycles: 1) removal of the 5′-dimethoxytrityl protecting group with dichloroacetic acid in toluene, 2) coupling of the next phosphoramidite with activator reagent in acetonitrile, 3) oxidation with iodine/pyridine/water, and 4) capping with acetic anhydride/1-methylimidizole/acetonitrile. Perylene phosphoramidite (100 mg) was dissolved in dry acetonitrile (700 uL) and dichloromethane (300 uL). A few sieves were added to the flask and it was blanketed with argon. The sequencer was utilized as described above. The synthesis cycle was repeated until the 5′ Oligofluoroside was assembled. At the end of the chain assembly, the monomethoxytrityl (MMT) group or dimethoxytrityl (DMT) group was removed with dichloroacetic acid in dichloromethane or dichloroacetic acid in toluene. The dyes were cleaved from the solid support using concentrated aqueous ammonium hydroxide at room temperature for 2-4 hours. The product was concentrated in vacuo and Sephadex G-25 columns were used to isolate the main product. Analysis was done with a RP-HPLC method couple to a mass spectrometer for molecular weight determination.

Example 4 Synthesis of Alkyne Phosphoramidite

A phosphoramidite useful for preparation of certain embodiments of compounds of structure (I) was prepared as follows.

In a 500 mL round bottomed flask equipped with an addition funnel and magnetic stirrer was placed propargyl chloroformate (1.3 mL) in dichloromethane (75 mL). The flask was purged with nitrogen. In a separate beaker was placed aminoalcohol 6 (2.0 g) in dichloromethane (60 mL), methanol (10 mL) and triethylamine (1.4 mL). The addition funnel was charged with the aminoalcohol solution and was added dropwise over 30 minutes. The flask was stirred for 2 h at which point TLC indicated the reaction was complete. The reaction was concentrated on the rotary evaporator and further dried under high vacuum and used directly in the next step.

In a 500 mL round bottomed flask with magnetic stirrer was placed carbamate 7 (˜3.1 g). Pyridine was added to the flask (270 mL) and stirring was initiated. Once the carbamate had been dissolved, the solution was placed on ice and stirred for 15 min under nitrogen. Dimethoxytrityl chloride (5.9 g) was added to the flask by powder funnel in a single portion. The flask was repurged with nitrogen and stirred at OC for 1 h. The flask was removed from ice and stirred at room temperature overnight. Methanol was added (10 mL) and the mixture stirred for 10 min. The mixture was concentrated on the rotovap and purified by silica gel chromatography. Product fraction were determined by TLC, pooled and concentrated to a final oil to afford mono-protected diol 8 (3.3 g).

In a 100 mL round bottomed flask with magnetic stir bar was placed monoprotected diol 8 (500 mg) and dichloromethane (5 mL). The mixture was stirred to the starting material was dissolved. Diisopropylethylamine (600 mg) and 2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylchlorophosphoramidite (440 mg) were added dropwise, simultaneously in separate syringes. The mixture was stirred for 1 h at which point TLC indicated the reaction was complete. The material was poured onto sodium bicarbonate solution, extracted with dichloromethane. The organic layer was dried with sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to an oil Additional purification was accomplished by silica gel chromatography, Dichloromethane with 5% triethylamine. Product fractions were identified by TLC, pooled and concentrated. The final product was isolated as a clear oil (670 mg).

Example 5 Preparation of Azide-Containing Dye Moiety

An azide-containing fluorescein moiety useful for preparation of certain embodiments of compounds of structure (I) was prepared as follows.

In a 250 ml round bottomed flask with magnetic stir bar and addition funnel was placed FAM-NHS ester 2 (2.24 g). Dichloromethane (35 mL) was added to the flask, stirring was initiated, flask placed under nitrogen and cooled on ice. In a separate beaker, 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol (420 μL) was dissolved in dichloromethane (35 mL), methanol (7 mL) and triethylamine (1.5 mL) and the resulting solution was charged to the addition funnel. The amine solution was added dropwise to the NHS ester over 30 minutes. The final solution was stirred for 1 h at 0 C, the flask was removed from the ice bath and stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the crude product was purified by silica gel chromatography. Product fractions were examined by TLC and LC/MS and pooled to afford 1.6 g (72%).

In a 250 mL round bottomed flask with magnetic stir bar was placed the FAM alcohol 3 (1.5 g) and chloroform (25 mL). To this solution was added pyridine (470 μL) and p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (691 mg). The mixture was stirred for 24 h at which point TLC indicated the reaction was incomplete, additional p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (1.4 g) and pyridine (1.5 mL) was added and the mixture stirred for an additional 24 h. TLC of the reaction after 48 h indicated the reaction was complete. The mixture was poured onto saturated sodium bicarbonate (200 mL) and dichloromethane (100 mL) in an extraction funnel and partitioned. The organic layer was retained and aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (100 mL) two additional times. The organic layers were pooled and dried with sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude product was purified by silica gel chromatography. Product fractions were identified by TLC and pooled to afford the desired tosylate 4 (1.8 g).

In a 200 mL round bottomed flask with magnetic stirrer was placed FAM-tosylate 4 (1.8 g) and DMF (15 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred to effect dissolution. To this was added sodium azide (830 mg) and the mixture heated to 50 C and stirred overnight. The mixture was poured onto 100 mM citric acid (150 mL) and ethyl acetate (150 mL) in an extraction funnel. The layers were partitioned and the organic layer retained. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate two additional times. The organic layers were combined and dried over sodium sulfate. The solution was filtered and concentrated by rotary evaporation. The crude oil was purified by silica gel chromatography, product fractions were identified by TLC and pooled. The product was concentrated under vacuum to afford the desired FAM-aizde 5 as an orange solid (0.82 g). LCMS was consistent with the desired product.

Example 6 Preparation and of Oligomer Compounds

3-, 5- and 10-mer polyalkyne oligomers were prepared from the phosphoramidite of Example 4. A representative 3-mer dye was prepared as follows:

In a 500 uL microcentrifuge tube was placed a solution of phosphate buffer (31.5 μL, 150 mM, pH=7.4). To this was added a solution of coumarin azide (22.5 μL, 10 mM in DMSO) and a solution of the polyalkyne (7.5 μL, 1 mM in water). In a separate 200 uL microcentrifuge tube was placed a solution of copper sulfate (3.0 μL, 50 mM), a solution of tris(3-hydroxypropyltriazolylmethyl)amine (THPTA, 3.0 μL, 100 mM) and a solution of sodium ascorbate (7.5 μL, 100 mM). The copper solution was mixed and the entire contents added to the coumarin azide/polyalkyne tube. The reaction was mixed and allowed to incubate overnight at room temperature. The mixture was diluted with water (75 μL) and purified by size exclusion chromatography (Superdex 200 increase 5/150 GL, isocratic elution with PBS, 0.25 mL/min, detection at 405 nM and 260 nM).

3-, 5- and 10-mer dyes with either a coumarin or fluorescein moiety were prepared in an analogous manner. The oligomer dyes thus prepared are conjugated to compounds prepared according to Example 3. Alternatively, the phosphoramidites of Examples 1 and 4 are used in combination with appropriate spacer phosphoramidites (commercially available from Glenn Research) under standard DNA coupling procedures as described above to yield an oligomer which can be converted to a compound of structure (I) as described above.

All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety to the extent not inconsistent with the present description.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound having the following structure (I):

or a salt or tautomer thereof, wherein: M is, at each occurrence, independently a monovalent moiety comprising two or more carbon-carbon double bonds and at least one degree of conjugation; M′ is, at each occurrence, independently a divalent moiety having one of the following structures:

L is, at each occurrence, independently an alkylene or alkenylene linker, wherein the alkylene or alkenylene linker is unsubstituted; L² and L³ are, at each occurrence, independently an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene or heteroatomic linker; L¹ is at each occurrence, independently either: i) an optional alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroalkynylene or heteroatomic linker; or ii) a linker comprising a functional group capable of formation by reaction of two complementary reactive groups; L⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently an alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, carbocyclic or heterocyclic linker; R¹ is, at each occurrence, independently H, alkyl or alkoxy; R² and R³ are each independently H, OH, SH, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylether, heteroalkyl, —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), Q or L′; R⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d); R⁵ is, at each occurrence, independently oxo, thioxo or absent; R^(a) is O or S; R_(b) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d) or SR_(d); R_(c) is OH, SH, O⁻, S⁻, OR_(d), OL′, SR_(d), alkyl, alkoxy, heteroalkyl, heteroalkoxy, alkylether, alkoxyalkylether, phosphate, thiophosphate, phosphoalkyl, thiophosphoalkyl, phosphoalkylether or thiophosphoalkylether; R_(d) is a counter ion; Q is, at each occurrence, independently a moiety comprising a reactive group, or protected analogue thereof, capable of forming a covalent bond with an analyte molecule, a targeting moiety, a solid support or a complementary reactive group Q′; L′ is, at each occurrence, independently a linker comprising a covalent bond to Q, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a targeting moiety, a linker comprising a covalent bond to an analyte molecule, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support residue, a linker comprising a covalent bond to a nucleoside or a linker comprising a covalent bond to a further compound of structure (I); m¹ and m² are, at each occurrence, independently an integer of zero or greater; n, x and y are each independently an integer of zero or greater for each integral value of z; and z is an integer of 1 or greater, provided that x is 1 or greater for at least one integral value of z, and at least one of n or y is 1 or greater for at least one integral value of z.
 2. The compound of claim 1, having the following structure (IA):

wherein y is an integer of 1 or greater.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein M′, at each occurrence, has the following structure:


4. The compound of claim 1, wherein R⁴ is, at each occurrence, independently OH, O⁻ or OR_(d).
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein R⁵ is, at each occurrence, oxo.
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein R² and R³ are each independently OH or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c).
 7. The compound of claim 1, wherein one of R² or R³ is OH or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), and the other of R² or R³ is Q or a linker comprising a covalent bond to Q.
 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein Q is a moiety having one of the following structures:


9. The compound of claim 1, wherein one of R² or R³ is OH or —OP(═R_(a))(R_(b))R_(c), and the other of R² or R³ is a linker comprising a covalent bond to an enzyme, receptor, receptor ligand, antibody, glycoprotein, aptamer or prion or a linker comprising a covalent bond to a solid support.
 10. The compound of claim 1, wherein M is, at each occurrence, independently a dimethylaminostilbene, quinacridone, fluorophenyl-dimethyl-BODIPY, bis-fluorophenyl-BODIPY, acridine, terrylene, sexiphenyl, porphyrin, benzopyrene, (fluorophenyl-dimethyl-difluorobora-diaza-indacene)phenyl, (bis-fluorophenyl-difluorobora-diaza-indacene)phenyl, quaterphenyl, bi-benzothiazole, ter-benzothiazole, bi-naphthyl, bi-anthracyl, squaraine, squarylium, 9, 10-ethynylanthracene or ter-naphthyl moiety.
 11. The compound of claim 1, wherein M is, at each occurrence, independently pyrene, perylene, perylene monoimide or 6-carboxyfluorescein (6-FAM) or a derivative thereof.
 12. The compound of claim 1, wherein M, at each occurrence, independently has one of the following structures:


13. A compound having the following structure:

wherein y is an integer greater than
 1. 14. A method for visually detecting an analyte molecule, the method comprising: (a) providing the compound of claim 1, wherein R² or R³ is a linker comprising a covalent bond to the analyte molecule; and (b) detecting the compound by its visible properties.
 15. A method for visually detecting an analyte molecule, the method comprising: (a) admixing the compound of claim 1, wherein R² or R³ is Q or a linker comprising a covalent bond to Q, with the analyte molecule; (b) forming a conjugate of the compound and the analyte molecule; and (c) detecting the conjugate by its visible properties.
 16. A method for determining the presence of dead cells in a sample, the method comprising contacting the sample with a compound of claim 1, thereby binding or associating the compound with the dead cells, and observing a fluorescent signal from the compound bound or associated with the dead cells.
 17. A composition comprising a compound of claim 1 and a cyclodextrin. 